Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-23
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The diagram below shows the floor plan of a public library 20 years ago and how it looks now.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Central Library 20 years ago
Student answer (Band 5.5)
The given diagram demonstrates changes in the floor plan of a library that occured in 2 decades.
Overall, the foor plan had changes starting from the center where the tables and chairs had been removed and with a few other upgrades. Which includes some comfort furniture as well as a cafeteria and some self-service machines.
The library 20 years ago had some tables and chairs in the center with enquiry desk sitting at a slight right as soon as somone enters. Reading room has given a place opposite from the enquiry desk. The adult fiction and non fiction books had been placed parallel in the center of the library. At last, children books section was on the top right corner opposite to the computer games room.
On the other hand, after 20 years the furniture from the center has been removed and a cafe on the right is what somenone notices as soon as they enter. The cafe is opposite to the new computer room. There has been self-service machines that are placed in the center right alongside the information desk and adult fiction books, on top of it the lecture room. Children's fiction books and storytelling event room has been given a combined place with the reference books section placed below that.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student attempts to summarise the main changes shown in the floor plan over the 20-year period, identifying key modifications such as the removal of tables and chairs from the center, the addition of a café, self-service machines, and a lecture room. However, the overview is rather fragmented and vague ('with a few other upgrades'), and some spatial descriptions are difficult to follow or slightly inaccurate. For example, stating that the reading room was 'given a place opposite from the enquiry desk' does not accurately capture the map's layout 20 years ago. While the response touches on the most significant transformations, the lack of a clear, structured overview and imprecise reporting of specific locations prevent it from achieving a higher band. Overall, the task is addressed, but the development and clarity are limited.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The essay is divided into four paragraphs, attempting an introduction, an overview, and separate body paragraphs for the past and present layouts. However, the logical progression is hindered by awkward transitions and poor sentence-level cohesion. Phrases like 'At last, children books section was...' and 'on top of it the lecture room' create a disjointed flow. Paragraphing is present, but internal cohesion is frequently mechanical or faulty, and the referencing of spatial relationships is often unclear, leaving the reader struggling to form a coherent mental picture of the diagrams. Cohesive devices are either missing or inappropriately used.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for a basic description of a floor plan, utilising terms such as 'diagram', 'floor plan', 'upgrades', and 'cafeteria'. However, there are noticeable lexical errors and awkward collocations, such as 'comfort furniture' instead of comfortable seating, and spelling errors like 'occured'. The range of vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive, lacking the precision and less common items expected for a higher band. While meaning is generally conveyed, the lexical choice lacks sophistication and accuracy in several instances.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar and punctuation is inconsistent. There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'the floor plan had changes starting from the center where the tables and chairs had been removed and with a few other upgrades', which lacks a main verb structure. Other errors include subject-verb agreement issues and punctuation mistakes, such as sentence fragments starting with 'Which includes...'. Although these errors do not completely impede communication, their frequency prevents the response from reaching a Band 6.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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